30. Kat

30

Vladmir sets me down so quickly that I lose my balance and stumble backward.

A black-clad arm wraps around my waist, steadying me and pulling me against a muscular chest. A chest that is practically vibrating with uncontrolled anger.

I glance up and find Nik's face. I see it for the first time—this isn't the passionate lover who held me in his arms, whispering sweet nothings in Russian to me. This is Nikolai Stefanovich, the Russian bratva's pakhan. The coldhearted man whose name and fearsome reputation are enough to make even his mafia counterparts tremble with fear and respect.

I've never seen this crazed wildfire in his eyes before.

In front of me, the fierce Vladmir turns almost as white as the napkins on the bar.

"Prosti duraka, pakhan. Ya ne khotel tebya obidet. Ya bol'she tak ne budu," he says to Nik, his voice shaking.

Behind me, Nik shakes his head slowly. "You knew better than to lay hands on her," he says, almost in a menacing growl. "I ought to kill you just for touching what's mine. You're well aware of the punishment for putting your hands on your pakhan's woman."

"I understand, pakhan. Again, if I may, forgive me for being such an idiot. I didn't want to offend you. I won't do it again. But I understand if you can't let it go." Vladmir's eyes remain downcast.

"Get the fuck out of my sight. You've already caused a scene," Nik says through gritted teeth. I look around and notice half a dozen of McGuire's guests staring at us, whispering. "I'll summon you later once I've decided your fate."

With a slight nod, Vladmir quickly and quietly exits the room.

Nik flips me around in his arms until I'm facing him. The savage fire I saw in his gaze still burns. His eyes roam over my face, searchingly, clearly trying to gauge my emotions. "Forgive me, Kat," he says, kissing the top of my head.

"For what?" I ask in confusion.

Nik looks at me as if my question is ridiculous. "For Vladmir's actions, of course." He wraps his arms around me, gently holding me against his chest and nuzzling my hair. "He should never have even thought of touching you. I'm so sorry. Are you okay? Did he hurt you at all?"

I scoff. "Nik, I appreciate your concern, but I'm completely fine."

Unconvinced, he pulls away a little to look at me, not even bothering to hide his attempt at assessing me for any undisclosed damage.

"I'm serious," I say. "Don't worry. You got here just in time, Prince Charming. Not that I needed your help, mind you. I had everything under control."

It's his turn to scoff. After pulling me back against his chest, he bends to speak against my ear. "Prince Charming, huh?"

"More like Prince Terrifying." I teasingly shove against his chest, burying my face against it. "I didn't know that side of you, miliy."

Nik wastes no time gently pushing me so he can look at my face. There's a delighted glint in his eyes when he asks, "What did you just say?"

With a laugh, I ask, "Did I say it right?"

"Did you mean to say miliy?" His pronunciation is utterly different from my butchered attempt.

"Yes, miliy," I repeat, sounding better than my first attempt but not nearly as clear as he did.

"Where did you learn that?" Pure, undisguised joy glitters in Nik's beautiful brown eyes. He bites his bottom lip mid-smile, and it's all I can do to stop myself from pulling that tempting mouth down to mine.

"Well, you wouldn't tell me what milaya meant, even though you kept calling me that repeatedly. So I looked it up, of course, and learned the male equivalent." I shrug, winking at him.

"Do you know what it means?"

I roll my eyes. "Yes, honey. Of course I do, my darling."

Nik chuckles again. "You're just the gift that keeps on giving, did you know that?" he asks, tilting my chin up until his mouth is less than an inch away from my lips. His breath mingles with mine as he leans his forehead against mine.

"You're one to talk," I say, and he smiles.

Our eyes connect again as we gaze at each other for a timeless moment. My heart races, and it's no longer a product of the lasting effects of the surge of adrenaline from my altercation with Vladmir.

Will Nik kiss me? Maybe I'll kiss him.

Unfortunately, Vladmir is still on my mind. With a sigh, I feel obligated to ask, even though I know it will break the moment's spell. "What are you going to do with Vladmir, Nik?"

"Don't worry about it, milaya," he rasps against my cheek. The goosebumps almost distract me.

"Nik…"

He sighs. The man knows me well enough by now to realize I won't drop the subject until he answers me. He leans back so we can see each other better. "I'm well within my rights to kill him, Kat. He knows that. It certainly doesn't please me that he dared to touch you and almost hurt you."

I gasp, horrified. "Oh, my gosh, Nik. You can't do that. Don't get me wrong. I don't like the man at all, but that doesn't mean I want his death hanging over my head for the rest of my life."

"I shouldn't have said anything," he says, almost to himself. "Just forget about it, Kat. I don't want you to spend another second of your time worrying about him."

I pull at his jacket. "But, Nik?—"

He squeezes my hand. "I'll take your wishes and concerns under consideration. I won't do anything that'll cause you grief."

"I think I'd feel better if you promised me you won't do anything drastic. No maiming or murdering. Come on, you can give me that."

With a soft laugh, Nik pulls me by the neck until we are face-to-face once again. His sudden nearness overwhelms my senses, but he rubs his nose against mine, amusement still curving his lips and glimmering in his eyes.

The duality of man—a ruthless mobster who gives me nose-to-nose kisses…

Unable to hold myself back any longer, I rise on my toes until my lips rub against his. Nik sighs softly, but neither of us deepens the kiss just yet. I slowly turn my head sideways, amazed by the incredible softness of his lips. I part mine slightly and run them along his bottom lip. His eyes shutter closed, and the tip of my tongue caresses the center of his lip. Nik's quiet gasp is followed by his hand tenderly grasping the strands of my hair, clutching me closer.

Just then, something vibrates between our chests.

It's enough to dispel the magic between us, and I move away from him, straightening. With a curse, Nik lets me go and reaches inside his jacket, pulling out his vibrating cell phone.

His eyes never leave me as he answers the call. "This better be fucking life or death, Dmitri."

I smile, taking my turn to be amused. Nik raises an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry, Kat. I have to take this. I'll be right back. Stay right here," he says, squeezing my hand once before exiting the room, animatedly speaking to Dmitri in Russian.

With a sigh, I sit back down on the stool I occupied before Vladmir lost his cool with me. Bored, I glance around the room, daydreaming about Nik's kisses.

My eyes fall on McGuire.

The man is standing by the doorway with an interested look. His intrigued expression leaves no doubt—he witnessed the entire scene between me, Nik, and Vladmir. With a smirk, the mobster raises his glass, winking at me.

Unable to shake an ominous feeling of unease, I return the gesture, a smile that doesn't reach my eyes plastered on my face.